Support grows as Tasmanian WNBL pathway described as 'logical'

The support comes on the eve of the Tasmania JackJumpers debuting in the men's NBL competition at the DEC against the Brisbane Bullets on December 3.

Speaking at a junior basketball clinic in Launceston last week, JackJumpers' captain Clint Steindl said that a state WNBL franchise would be a win-win.

"Absolutely, anytime you can add another professional sporting team into the landscape whether it be a men's or women's program is good and if you can get another women's program here, it'll be huge," he said.

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"WNBL would be huge for women's sport so it'd be a no-brainer to have a women's WNBL team down here and another team for the basketball community to get behind."

The JackJumpers have previously revealed their interest in setting up a WNBL side under the JackJumpers moniker and confirmed having some "high-level" discussions with Basketball Australia over the subject.

As the governing body, Basketball Australia's support would be a key factor in getting a WNBL side located in the Apple Isle but they confirmed they were open to the idea when approached in October.

Tasmania is set to get a taste of the WNBL next season when the Bendigo Spirit and Southside Flyers face-off for two games including one in Launceston at the Silverdome on March 7.

While in town the Spirit and Flyers are likely to partner with Tasmania's NBL1 sides to run junior development clinics and school outreach programs.

Launceston Tornadoes chairman Neil Grose said the state's NBL1 presence should give key stakeholders confidence in a potential WNBL side.

"The next logical step is to develop a pathway to a Tasmanian WNBL team, which will then demonstrate the resources needed to make it happen."

After the JackJumpers packed out venues in Hobart, Ulverstone and Launceston in the NBL Blitz, Grose said a WNBL side was the next stepping stone.

"The way the JackJumpers have ignited the Tasmanian basketball community is amazing and provide a much needed pathway for male basketballers, our next fundamental step is to give our female basketball players the same opportunity," he said.

"A Tasmanian WNBL team gives these players, along with aspiring young players, the target that our male talent already has through the JackJumpers."

The Islanders were Tasmania's last WNBL side and after claiming the 1991 title, the team folded in 1996 after three bottom-of-the-ladder finishes in four years.